Myjai Sanders Bio
Myjai Sanders (born July 12, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end who is most recognized for his time as a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. After beginning his professional career in the National Football League, he transitioned to spring football, where he currently competes as a member of the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and weighing 248 lb (112 kg), Sanders uses his size and athleticism to pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt running plays at the line of scrimmage.
Sanders played his college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, where he developed into one of the top defensive linemen in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). His combination of length, power, and pass-rushing ability helped him earn back-to-back All-AAC honors and positioned him as a coveted prospect ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Myjai Sanders was born on July 12, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida, where he spent his early childhood. Growing up in Jacksonville exposed him to a strong football culture, and he developed his athletic foundation in that environment before pursuing competitive football at the high school level.
He initially attended William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville before transferring to Camden County High School in Kingsland, Georgia, prior to his junior year. The move allowed him to showcase his talents on a larger stage, and as a senior, he recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, and seven quarterback hurries. His performance earned him a spot on the Coastal Georgia All-Area team, as selected by The Brunswick News.
Coming out of high school, Sanders was a sought-after recruit with multiple scholarship offers, including from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Washington State, and UCF. He ultimately committed to play college football at Cincinnati, a decision that launched his path toward the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
Sanders began his college career with the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2018, appearing in ten games as a reserve defensive end during his freshman season. He posted seven tackles in that role, giving him valuable experience within the team’s defensive rotation and allowing him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the collegiate game.
As a sophomore, Sanders was promoted to a starting position, where he quickly made an impact. He finished that season with 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks, demonstrating his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His continued development earned him recognition as a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist during his junior campaign.
One of the defining moments of his college career came when he was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording six tackles and 1.5 sacks in a 49–10 win over Memphis. That performance underscored his pass-rushing potential and helped solidify his status as a top NFL prospect heading into his senior season.
Myjai Sanders Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Myjai Sanders entered the NFL after being selected in the third round (100th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals valued his size, length, and ability to develop into a rotational pass rusher, and he spent his rookie season contributing to the team’s defensive line depth chart.
His time in Arizona was interrupted by injuries, and on August 31, 2023, Sanders was placed on injured reserve. The Cardinals later released him on October 17, 2023, ending his initial NFL chapter with the organization. During his Cardinals tenure, he recorded 30 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass deflections, according to career NFL statistics through the 2023 season.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2025)
After being released by the Arizona Cardinals and briefly spending time with the Houston Texans during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Sanders found a new opportunity in spring professional football. On December 30, 2024, he signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), a perennial contender in the spring league known for producing high-level defensive talent.
The move to the UFL allowed Sanders to showcase his skills in a fast-paced, pass-heavy league and to play a featured role along the defensive front. His combination of NFL experience and prior college production made him a valuable addition to the Stallions’ roster as they prepared for the 2025 UFL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sanders is recognized for his length, leverage, and ability to win one-on-one matchups at the line of scrimmage. His size at 6 ft 5 in gives him the reach to challenge offensive tackles, while his pad level and hand technique allow him to disengage from blockers and pursue the football. As a pass rusher, he excels at using his frame to press the pocket and collapse throwing lanes for opposing quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Sanders’ career came when he was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, validating his development at Cincinnati. He was also a two-time First-team All-AAC selection in 2020 and 2021, and he was recognized as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, one of the most prestigious individual honors in college football.
Myjai Sanders Career Wins
Myjai Sanders has accumulated a body of work that includes standout achievements at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. While detailed win-by-win records are not fully verified across every series, his most prominent accomplishments include two First-team All-AAC selections and his selection as the 100th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
College Highlights
During his time with the Cincinnati Bearcats, Sanders was a two-time First-team All-AAC honoree (2020 and 2021), establishing himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the conference. His junior-season recognition as a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist further cemented his reputation as an elite college defender.
His AAC Defensive Player of the Week performance against Memphis, in which he recorded six tackles and 1.5 sacks in a 49–10 victory, stands out as one of the most impactful individual games of his college career.
Other Wins & Performances
At the high school level, Sanders earned Coastal Georgia All-Area honors from The Brunswick News after his senior season at Camden County High School. In the professional ranks, he recorded 3 sacks, 30 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass deflections during his NFL career through the 2023 season, reflecting his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories.
Myjai Sanders Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Myjai Sanders’ immediate family is limited, and detailed details about his parents and upbringing beyond his Jacksonville, Florida origins are not widely documented. His path to professional football was shaped primarily by his own dedication and his development through the high school and college football systems.
Personal Life
Sanders was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, before moving to Georgia to complete his high school football career. He has kept the majority of his personal and family life private, and there is no verified public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children at this stage of his career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 UFL season, Myjai Sanders is positioned as a key defensive contributor for the Birmingham Stallions. After spending time with the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, he brings NFL-level experience to a Stallions defense that is known for its depth and physicality. His role with the team is expected to involve significant snaps along the defensive line and in pass-rushing situations.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Sanders to reestablish himself as a dominant force at the professional level. With his combination of size, length, and proven production at both the collegiate and NFL levels, he is well positioned to make an immediate impact in the UFL. The Stallions’ defensive scheme is expected to leverage his ability to pressure the quarterback and set the edge against the run.
Throughout the season, Sanders’ performance will be a key storyline for the Birmingham Stallions as they pursue another UFL title. If he can stay healthy and maintain consistency, his play could serve as a springboard toward additional professional opportunities in the future.